SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Nauru hospital fire creates 'medical emergency'

Nauru's government says it's facing a 'medical emergency' after an electrical fire at the island's main hospital has destroyed key medical equipment.

1 min read

Published

Updated


Skip to article content

Nauru government spokesperson Joanna Olsen told ABC local radio that a quater of the hospital was burned down in the fire overnight.

"The medical store and the pharmacy was destroyed, so I'm not sure if the hospital has supplies elsewhere at a different site," Ms Olsen said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"I haven't been able to confirm that yet but those two buildings that I know of that hold all the medical supplies are gone."

Medical records, and X-ray facilities have alo been destroyed, but wards and patients have not been affected.

Locals have been tweeting that two fire trucks were onsite at the hospital to bring the fire under control while volunteers helped to evacuate the patients.

No injuries have been reported, so far.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world